044. The Path of the Echoer
Li Aozi rolled his eyes, and then a system message popped up:
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[You have triggered a career quest—"Echo of Life"]
[Type]: Pathway
[Duration]: None
[Quest Difficulty]: A
[Description]:
"They disbanded the commune, destroyed my home, and erased my research. But it's not over yet. They still don't understand that the fate of life isn't without trace."
A drink, a name, a group buried in history.
The Life Commune, once the greatest destiny deconstruction project in the Layer Abyss, gathered 400 of the finest engineering scholars. Their goal was to dismantle the limits of life's entropy and completely unravel the mysterious Omega Energy possessed by the[Mutators], a puzzle that had baffled scholars for 5,000 years.
Is it truly the power of fate, the expression of genes, or another unknown mysterious technology?
What exactly is Omega Energy?
For you, as a[Mutator], your career has reached its end. You find no further path of advancement. Your former companions keep breaking through, progressing, and pursuing the footsteps of the gods.
[You, master of genes, are you content to remain just a mutating mortal?]
You already feel a completely different destiny calling you.
That mysterious whisper grows ever clearer in your ears:
[Yes, you should not stop here—Child of the Abyss.]
An unusual and lonely pathway unfolds slowly before you.
[Continue forward. Be fierce, be passionate, be full of warmth, yet with bloodstained hands.]
The Supreme Abyss continually calls to you. But where does your future truly lie?
[Make the cosmos bow its head, and listen to the echoes you stir.]
[Completion Requirements]:
A."Visit an Old Friend"—Alde Midkash Liu'e, a former member of the Life Commune, still active somewhere, continues her research. Somehow, you feel there's something of importance awaiting you there. Visit her and understand her work.
Reward: Unlock the next storyline quest.
B."Travel Insurance"—The expensive private jet to the destination is beyond your current means. Find a companion of at least Delta-tier to accompany you, as Orlaville won't let you go otherwise.
Reward: Orlaville will unlock a new module, allowing you to purchase the 'Orlaville's Fine Spirits' series directly in the game[Shop].
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"Delta-tier is all it takes?"
Seeing the second requirement, Li Aozi simply opened his communicator, logged into the freelance mercenary network, and began looking for a cheap, durable mercenary.
Orlaville's fine spirits are excellent products, providing attribute boosts or a buff at a great price. Since he could unlock them early, Li Aozi was more than willing to take advantage.
"Let's see... Damn, the cost of living in Valkyrie Fortress is sky-high! No wonder, it's a turf controlled by Thunder-Gold's joint conglomerate; nearly every mercenary's fee includes service tax and starport tax…"
Li Aozi rubbed his chin, quickly browsing through the mercenary profiles.
He was mainly checking prices, but Delta-tier mercenaries started at three thousand ammonium gold, while Gamma-tier mortals couldn't be used as placeholders.
Li Aozi didn't have much ammonium gold on hand, so he'd cut costs wherever possible for the time being.
As he swiped through the profiles, suddenly, someone sat beside him.
"Yo, handsome."
He turned around to see an elf with skin the color of chocolate sitting gracefully next to him, her chin propped on one hand. Her simple, affordable mechanical exoskeleton couldn't conceal her slender, curvaceous figure. She locked eyes with Li Aozi, instantly flashing a charming smile:
"Looks like you're looking for a freelance mercenary?"
"Dark Elf?" Li Aozi was surprised. "While I know Valkyrie Fortress is home to all kinds of species... I didn't expect a high-ranking species like a Dark Elf to be working as a freelance mercenary."
Dark Elves and Night Elves are two different races, though people in the Layer Abyss often confuse them. Both have similarly dark skin, after all.
Li Aozi, however, was well-informed. Elves are a classic case of bloodline-determined hierarchy: high-ranking Dark Elves, Radiant Elves, Flood Elves, Steel Elves, and Maggot Elves are inherently above other elves in status. Even in the interstellar era, low-ranking elves still bow and greet high-ranking ones.
"Oh, well, the family's in decline, you know."
The Dark Elf waved her hand dismissively, smiling sweetly as she said:
"My name is Flanna Nightwhisper, as you can see, Delta-tier. A dedicated freelance mercenary. You won't go wrong choosing me."
As she spoke, she leaned in close and whispered in Li Aozi's ear:
"And I'm cheap—only a thousand to hire me…"
Her eyes took on a faint pink glow, and her tone turned gently persuasive, full of allure.
"Pick me, handsome. I haven't had a job for two days. If I don't get one soon, I'll end up on the streets..."
[You have been affected by 'Flanna Nightwhisper's [Failed Charm Spell], make a [Willpower] check]
Flanna murmured confidently.
She'd just seen the bartender treating Li Aozi with utmost respect, and with her keen elven hearing, she'd caught words like fifty thousand ammonium gold. No need to guess—this was a sugar daddy!
Special treatment from the bar owner Orlaville? What kind of VIP treatment was that? This guy was a big deal.
Rich, connected, and good-looking. Oh my, who could resist? If such an excellent man slipped away, Flanna figured she'd be laughed at by her peers forever.
[Trait [Decisiveness] triggered; this check changes to [Charm].]
'Hehe! How lucky I am. He's so young; surely he's a pure-hearted, inexperienced guy. A little racial advantage, and I could have both romance and career success.'
Imagining herself climbing the social ladder, wearing a red backless gown with a glass of fine wine in hand, and watching the two unlucky fools who always looked down on her grovel on the ground...
[Critical Success—You nullify this charm effect!]
'No, no, think bigger.'
Flanna threw a provocative glance at Cavin "Magnet" sitting dumbfounded on the sofa and the Crocodile Prophet, who clasped his hands in front of him, drawing a cross.
She instantly switched from her previous elegant, alluring demeanor to a brazen grin of satisfaction.
[[Charm] completely overwhelmed!]
'But...'
Flanna inexplicably glanced back at the young man in front of her.
His golden hair fell naturally, his emerald green eyes clear and beautiful, yet fitting perfectly with his handsome, chiseled features. The scholarly air of a spellcaster combined with the sturdy frame under his coat, along with his innocent gaze, reminded her of a young lion venturing out of the pride for the first time.
Thump!
[Counter-Check Activated: [Perpetual • Love Hunt] Effect Triggered!]
'Gulp…'
Flanna swallowed, quickly turning her head away and covering her mouth, her cheeks flushed, and pink circles of excitement glowed in her eyes. Her shoulders trembled, releasing heated breaths, and she slapped herself twice.
'What am I doing? Trying to take advantage of such an innocent kid? I'm scum! I'm guilty! I need to repent!'
[Check Passed.]
Her heart raced, and as she snuck glances at the young, pure, bashful Li Aozi, she found him increasingly adorable, sexy, beautiful, and alluring, with a budding sense of affection in her heart.
[You have charmed 'Flanna Nightwhisper' in return]
"A thousand ammonium gold, huh? That is quite cheap."
Li Aozi glanced at the screen and said:
"But this Cavin 'Magnet' guy only costs 500 ammonium gold, and this Crocodile Prophet next to him only 600, with a free prophecy included."
"...Huh?"
Flanna was stunned.
She turned to see the two men on the sofa behind her grinning simultaneously.
"You two aren't—"
Flanna's eyelid twitched.
"Well, he called my name."
"Funny, he called my name too."
The two bumped fists in perfect harmony, stood up, brushed past Flanna, and even 'comfortingly' patted her shoulder.
"Hey, esteemed employer, I'm Cavin 'Magnet.' I'll gladly take hits for you if anyone bullies you."
"Ahmi, blessed one, while Crocodile's not much for fighting, I'll fly your ship out of here anytime you need."
"Is competition really this fierce?"
Li Aozi rubbed his chin thoughtfully:
"It really is cheap, 500 and 600 ammonium gold—completely within budget even combined. Why not hire both of you?"
Crack—
For a moment, Flanna could hear the sound of her heart breaking.
"Wait!"
Flanna suddenly jumped forward, exclaiming:
"I'll do it for 400 ammonium gold! Don't let these two useless idiots make money!"
Seeing her buddies making money bothered her even more than not making it herself.
"What? Flanna, that's too much. I'll do it for 300!" Magnet quickly raised his hand.
The Crocodile Prophet drew a hexagram on his chest, muttering, "Infinite life, amen. This is cutthroat competition. Buddha says: not good—I'll settle for a hundred."
"Free!"
Flanna clung to Li Aozi's shoulder, pleading, "Please, I'll cover food and lodging! Just don't let them make a cent!"
"Alright." Li Aozi reluctantly agreed, "It's settled then, Miss Flanna."
Before Flanna could react, Cavin "Magnet" and the Crocodile Prophet retreated to the side, secretly celebrating:
"Yay! Gold-digger Flanna is stuck! Back to courier jobs for her."
"Fooled gullible Flanna again! This never gets old."